10-Night Andean Beauties

Day 1: Welcome To Peru. Transfer to your hotel in Lima

1. Lima
   12h
   You will be greeted at the Lima Airport and taken to your hotel to spend the day at your leisure. Overnight in Lima

Day 2: Lima City Of The Kings And Local Authentic Districts

1. Plaza San Martin
   10m
   This morning, we will invite you on a private tour of Lima, ‘The City of the Kings´, where you will enjoy seeing the best of both colonial and modern Lima. We will take you to the San Martin Plaza, a huge open space in the center of Lima where you will see monuments and important structures.
2. Jiron de La Union
   15m
   Then, you will walk through the busy and fascinating pedestrian-only Jirón de la Union Street which leads to the Plaza de Armas, the main plaza. This street was constructed in 1535 and still retains its old charm with a number of shops and restaurants set in a mixture of old and new buildings. We will then arrive at the Plaza de Armas.
3. Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor)
   15m
   We will visit this beautiful square surrounded by palaces. The colonial part of Lima is full of history and our expert guide will give you an introduction to the current capital of Perú.After visiting the central part of Lima, we will head to a more local authentic area, such as Chorrillos
4. Chorrillos
   25m
   Chorrillos is a district famous for its fishing activity. You will see the local fisherman activity and explore the real local part of Lima. We will then continue through Barranco,
5. Barranco
   30m
   In Barranco, you will have a short walk around this bohemian and old district of Lima, located on an impressive cliff that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. After your Lima experience, you will arrive back at your hotel and may spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 3: Lima To Cusco And Transfer To The Sacred Valley

1. Sacred Valley
   1h
   In the morning, we pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Lima Airport in time for your domestic flight to Cusco. Upon arrival to the Incan Empire of Cusco, your private tour guide will welcome you to the city and take you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas by private van. Along the route, you will have the chance to experience the rich culture and nature of the Andes and to have an off the beaten track encounter, apart from the crowded tourist spots. Therefore, we will take you to Umasbamba, a local community where people create Andean textiles using the ancestral technics since the Incas times, here you will not only learn about the weaving process but also have a first impression of the daily life of the farmers in the Andean highlands, a great introduction to the local culture. After our visit, we will continue driving, passing through the beautiful Piuray Lake, and always accompanied by the mountains. Finally, you will arrive in Maras.
2. Maras
   1h
   You will arrive in Maras, a very authentic village of farmers, with spectacular scenery of the Andean mountain range and glaciers, where your Andean Villas are located and where you will start your cultural Immersion experience.

Day 4: Cultural Immersion Activities And Deep Encounter With The Andes

1. Salinas de Maras
   1h · Admission ticket included
   This day will be full of surprises and offers you plenty of possibilities to explore the culture and the nature of the Peruvian Andes.During the morning, you can learn about ancient Incan and pre-Incan agricultural methods, including a visit to the salt mines of Maras.
2. Maras Moray Tours
   1h · Admission ticket included
   You can also visit the circulate terraces of Moray used as an agriculture laboratory during the Incas time. As an alternative, you are also able to include sporty activities such as a biking tour through the stunning landscape of the Sacred Valley or a kayaking adventure on Waypo Lake, a calm lake between the snow-capped mountains. So please, let us know if you would like to bike or kayak this day! In the afternoon, you will be able to experience cultural activities, such as a visit to a local school we support our social projects.

Day 5: Ollantaytambo Incan Town Visit, Train To Aguas Calientes And Machu Picchu Exploration

1. Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo
   1h · Admission ticket included
   In the morning, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel for your private tour of Ollantaytambo, one of the last Incan refugees during Spanish colonization. You will step back in time as many of the houses and buildings continue to stand from the Incan empire and display original architecture. You will be invited to enter one of these houses to observe the building and the way in which the people used to live.Then we will take you to the train station of Ollantaytambo, where you will board the train to Aguas Calientes. On this one and a half hour spectacular train journey you will be able to observe a change in the landscape, from the typical Andean highlands to the beginning of the jungle.
2. Aguas Calientes
   30m
   Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, your private tour guide will take you to the bus station and accompany you to the complex of Machu Picchu ´The Lost City of the Incas´. We truly recommend visiting this highlight in the afternoon, as it is less crowded which gives you the opportunity to better feel the spirit of this truly magic site.
3. Machupicchu
   3h · Admission ticket included
   During your tour of this sacred Incan site, you will learn about the history and visit the truly remarkable temples of the Sun and the Condor. You will also see the aqueducts and houses while learning some interesting facts about the Incan Sacred Terraces. After your guided tour, you will have plenty of time to explore this truly magnificent site on your own. There are many short trek options, such as the one to the Sun Gate for an impressive view of Machu Picchu or a visit to the Incan Bridge, a secret entrance for the Incan Army.In the later afternoon, you will return to Aguas Calientes where you will you have the rest of the evening to spend at your leisure.

Day 6: Machu Picchu (Second Visit Optional), Train To Ollantaytambo And To Cusco

1. Machupicchu
   4h · Admission ticket not included
   Today, you will have the morning to spend at your leisure on your own. You will have the opportunity to revisit Machu Picchu (entrance and bus tickets not included) to enjoy the many short trekking options or venture the famous mountain climb to the summit of Wayna Picchu, which can be scheduled at either 7 am or 10 am. However, there is a limit on the number of people who can climb each day so you will need to book it with us in advance. If you do not want to revisit Machu Picchu, you might want to take a walk through the crooked alleys of Aguas Calientes and observe the life of the people in this truly touristy place or take a bath in the hot springs of the place. After lunch, you will board the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival to the train station, we will pick you up and transfer you to Cusco by private van.
2. Cusco
   30m
   When you arrive to Cusco, we will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 7: Cusco Highlights And Culinary Experience

1. Qorikancha
   1h · Admission ticket included
   In the morning, your tour guide will meet you at your hotel to begin your city tour of Cusco. You will start the tour visiting the Temple of the Sun, ‘Qoricancha’, located on the main Avenida El Sol (Avenue of the Sun). This Incan site was one of the most worshipped and respected temples of the Incan Empire. We will then meet different squares "plazas" of the city: The Main Plaza (Plaza de Armas), Regocijo and San Francisco.
2. Plaza de Armas
   15m
   We will walk through this beautiful place and you will have time to take pictures.
3. San Blas
   30m
   After our visits, we will explore the local neighborhood of San Blas, which is the most picturesque and where you will find many art galleries and enjoy the local contemporary art. *If you want to make your city tour more adventurous you can do it on a bike without any extra cost. Please, let us know if you want this option and we can provide bicycles and equipment. In the afternoon, we will start our culinary experience.
4. Mercado Central de San Pedro
   1h
   You will visit San Pedro Market, where you will see a wide variety of goods including, the vast different kind of potatoes, corn, meat, cheese, fruits, etc. Afterwards, you will be taken to the Cusco Culinary Cooking Studio, located in the center of Cusco where our Peruvian Professional Chef will show you how to prepare the most popular and tasty dishes of the Andes of Peru, including a refreshing drink, appetizer, main course, dessert and, of course, the famous Pisco Sour, in this fascinating tour you will not only be able to prepare your own meal but also enjoy the great Peruvian food.

Day 8: Cusco To Lake Titicaca By The Road Of The Sun

1. San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Early in the morning, you will begin your spectacular journey through the Andes to Lake Titicaca. The first stop on this scenic route will be Andahuaylillas church known as the Andean Sistine Chapel, where you will see intriguing 16th, 17th and 18th-century mural paintings and altars completely decorated in gold. The atmosphere is truly terrific as is the sleepy village around it.
2. Parque Arqueologico De Raqchi
   2h · Admission ticket included
   The next archeological highlight on your trip will be Racchi, a small highland town, where you will see the Incan temple of Wiracocha and learn about its fascinating construction with adobe brick walls that measure up to 11 meters high. After lunch, you will travel through the highest point of the journey, La Raya (4300m, 14100ft), which is the halfway point between Cusco and Puno. At approximately 4 pm, you will arrive in Puno, which lies on the banks of Lake Titicaca.
3. Puno
   1h
   Arriving in Puno, one of our representatives will take you to your hotel where you will have the rest of the night to relax or explore the city.

Day 9: Lake Titicaca And The Quechua Island Of Taquile

1. Uros Floating Islands
   1h 30m
   Today, your guide and driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. During the morning, we will visit the highly unique Uros Floating Islands, which have been built using only totora reeds, a water plant that grows in the lake. You will be amazed to see how the locals use the totora reeds to build their canoes, houses, beds and many other objects, necessary in their daily lives. As part of your visit to Uros, you will ride on a totora reed canoe, which will let you experience a smooth and pleasant trip around the islands. From here, we will continue on to Taquile Island via private motor boat for 2 hours, so you can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery of Lake Titicaca.
2. Taquile Island
   3h
   Upon arrival to the private Cultural Immersion Bay at Taquile Beach, you will enjoy a locally prepared lunch of delicious and very fresh Lake Titicaca trout. After lunch, you have an opportunity to take a short hike to explore around the island. During the evening, you will be welcomed to your island hut with a locally cooked Peruvian dinner, and you will pass the night in your cozy little hut. (Note: If you decide to go with a shared tour, you might stay on a different island)

Day 10: Lake Titicaca Cultural Experience And Return To Puno

1. Taquile Island
   3h
   Early in the morning, you will rise to a locally cooked breakfast with a spectacular view of the sunrise overlooking Lake Titicaca. After breakfast, you will walk around Taquile Island and learn about its pre-Incan constructions and agricultural terraces.This will be a great opportunity to get immersed in the local Culture as this Island is one of the last refuges where they still preserve their heritage, and not many travelers get to stay on this island. In the afternoon, we will depart from Taquile and take you back to Puno, where you will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure.
2. Puno
   1h
   When you arrive in Puno you will be transferred to your hotel

Day 11: From Puno To Lima With Visit To Impresive Sillustani Towers

1. Sillustani
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Today, your private guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Juliaca Airport located one hour from Puno city. Along the way, we will take a short variation road to the impressive archeological site of Sillustani. This site is a sacred pre-Incan burial ground that holds above-ground tombs constructed in the shape of tall towers made from giant stones. On the way you will also have the opportunity to visit some local houses where they grow alpacas and Llamas and which is their only economic activity as at this height, any plants hardly grow. At Juliaca Airport, you will take a domestic flight for approximately 2 ½ hours to Lima.
2. Lima
   1h
   You will arrive to Lima. (You could take your international flight or decide to stay more days in Lima)

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• Passport name, number, expiry, and country is required at time of booking for all participants
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Please provide a scanned copy or picture of your passport (Optional)
• Please specify type of bed (single, twin (two beds), or matrimonial)